Marinated Cucumber and Red Onion Salad with Dill
In short: Paper-thin cucumbers and red onion in a sweet and sour vinegar brine with fresh dill. Crisp, cold and better after a few hours in the fridge. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 1 h 20 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 40 kcal
Thinly sliced cucumbers in a sweet and sour brine are a favorite on picnic tables and next to roast meat, fish and potatoes. The cucumbers are salted first so they release their water and stay crunchy, then they sit in vinegar, sugar and dill for an hour or more. The flavor deepens with time, so it is a good salad to make in the morning for an evening meal.
Instructions
- Slice the cucumbers as thinly as you can, about 2 mm (1/16 inch), with a mandoline or a sharp knife. Peel them in stripes first if the skin is thick or waxy.
- Toss the slices with the fine salt in a colander and leave over a bowl for 20 minutes. Squeeze handfuls firmly to press out the water, then pat dry with a clean towel.
- Whisk the vinegar, water and sugar in a large bowl until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the cucumbers, red onion, dill and pepper and stir well. Press the slices down so they sit under the liquid.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour, stirring once or twice.
- Taste and add a little sugar or vinegar if needed. Serve cold with a slotted spoon so the brine stays behind.
Tips
- Salting and squeezing is what keeps the slices crisp, so do not skip it. If the cucumbers taste very salty afterward, rinse them quickly and pat dry.
- Swap the dill for chives or mint, or add a few thin radish slices and a pinch of crushed caraway seeds for a different flavor.
Questions and answers
How long does marinated cucumber salad keep?
In a covered container in the fridge it keeps for about 3 days. The cucumbers soften a little each day, so the first day is the crispest.
Can I use English cucumbers or other types?
Yes, any cucumber works. Long seedless types need no peeling or seeding. For thick-skinned or seedy ones, peel in stripes and scoop out the seeds.
Can I make it less sweet?
Yes. Cut the sugar to 1 tablespoon and taste after an hour. You can add a splash more water if the brine seems too sharp.
How long does it take to make Marinated Cucumber and Red Onion Salad with Dill?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Marinated Cucumber and Red Onion Salad with Dill?
About 40 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 9 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 40 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 140 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
